§501. Fees for registration; motor vehicles

The annual fees for the registration of motor vehicles must accompany the application for registration and are as follows.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

1.  Automobiles; pickup trucks.  The fee for an automobile, a pickup truck registered for 6,000 pounds or less or a sport utility vehicle used for the conveyance of passengers or interchangeably for passengers or property is $35. The fee for a pickup truck registered for more than 6,000 pounds but no more than 10,000 pounds is $37.

An automobile or sport utility vehicle used for the conveyance of passengers or property is a "combination" vehicle and may be issued a special plate with the word "combination" instead of "Vacationland." A passenger vehicle used under contract with the State, a municipality or a school district to transport students must be designated as "combination." A vehicle owned or operated by parents or legal guardians is exempt from this subsection.

Commercial plates may not be issued for or displayed on an automobile.

A sport utility vehicle may be registered either as an automobile or a truck. A sport utility vehicle with a gross vehicle weight or combined gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds and used in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise must be registered as a truck according to its actual gross weight as provided in section 504.

The gross weight of a pickup truck registered as provided by this subsection may not exceed 10,000 pounds. An owner of a pickup truck who operates the pickup truck with a gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds or the pickup truck drawing a semitrailer with a combined gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds must register the truck as provided in section 504.

A combination of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle and a camp trailer is not required to be registered for the gross weight of the combination.

Beginning July 1, 2009, $10 of the fee must be transferred on a quarterly basis by the Treasurer of State to the TransCap Trust Fund established by Title 30-A, section 6006-G.

[PL 2015, c. 206, §4 (AMD).]

2.  Island vehicles.

[PL 1999, c. 660, §2 (RP).]

2-A.  Island vehicles, golf carts and low-speed vehicles.  The following provisions apply to vehicles operating on islands that have no public ways maintained or supported by the State.

A. Notwithstanding subsection 1, an automobile may be registered for an annual fee of $4. A low-speed vehicle or golf cart may be registered for an annual fee of $4. The registrant must show evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482. The municipality may collect an additional $4 fee annually to defray the cost of removing abandoned vehicles or golf carts.   [PL 2001, c. 197, §4 (AMD).]

B. A low-speed vehicle or golf cart may be operated on an island if the governing body of the municipality allows. A low-speed vehicle or golf cart may be operated only on a road or street where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. A low-speed vehicle or golf cart may cross, at an intersection, a road or street with a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.   [PL 2001, c. 197, §4 (AMD).]

C. Any person operating a low-speed vehicle or a golf cart on an island must possess a valid driving license in any class.   [PL 2001, c. 197, §4 (AMD).]

[PL 2001, c. 197, §4 (AMD).]

3.  Passenger vehicles for hire.  The fee for a passenger vehicle used for hire is double the fee provided in subsection 1, except that for a passenger vehicle used for hire that is equipped with adaptive equipment to make that vehicle accessible by a person with a disability the fee is the same fee provided in subsection 1. The Secretary of State may issue a 2nd registration for the same vehicle at no additional fee.

[PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. BBBB, §1 (AMD).]

4.  Funeral coaches.  The fee for a private automobile, funeral coach or funeral hearse, used by a licensed practitioner of funeral services under Title 32, chapter 21, is the fee provided in subsection 1. The fee for a funeral coach or funeral hearse used for hire for any other purpose is the same as the fee provided in subsection 3.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

5.  School vehicles.  The fee for a motor vehicle used only to transport school children to and from school is the same as the fee in subsection 1.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

6.  Buses.

[PL 2011, c. 356, §7 (RP).]

7.  Temporary registration permit.  The Secretary of State may issue a temporary registration permit for the purpose of moving certain vehicles otherwise required to be registered as follows.

A. A temporary registration permit is for one trip only:

(1) Between the points of origin and destination and intermediate points, as set forth in the permit; or

(2) From the point of origin to the destination and back to the point of origin, including any intermediate points, as set forth in the permit.   [PL 2007, c. 177, §1 (RPR).]

B. A temporary registration permit is for the transit of the vehicle only. The vehicle may not be used for the transportation of passengers or property, for compensation or otherwise, unless specifically authorized on the temporary registration permit. If the vehicle is a chartered bus that is not covered by a reciprocity agreement with the state or country of registration, the Secretary of State may authorize transportation of passengers.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

C. The Secretary of State may not issue a temporary registration permit that is valid for longer than 10 days from the effective date of the registration.   [PL 2007, c. 177, §2 (AMD).]

D. The fee for a temporary registration permit issued under paragraph A, subparagraph (1) is $12. The fee for a temporary registration permit issued under paragraph A, subparagraph (2) is $25.   [PL 2007, c. 177, §3 (AMD).]

E. The temporary registration permit must be carried in the vehicle at all times.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

F. A person who operates or moves a vehicle outside the routes specified in the temporary registration permit commits a traffic infraction and may not be fined less than $25 nor more than $200.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

G. The Secretary of State may issue unassigned temporary registration permits to a vehicle auction business licensed under section 1051 to allow the movement of a vehicle sold to a dealer.   [PL 2011, c. 556, §4 (NEW).]

[PL 2011, c. 556, §4 (AMD).]

8.  Special permit.  The Secretary of State may issue, on application and the payment of a fee of $4, a special registration permit authorizing the limited operation on the highway of self-propelled golf carts, lawn mowers, ATV's and other similar vehicles with restrictions and limitations of use that minimize the danger to the operator. The following provisions apply to special registration permits.

A. A special registration permit is valid until March 1st of the next calendar year.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

B. A driver's license is not required for operation under this subsection.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

C. Vehicles registered under this subsection are exempt from the laws regulating the inspection of motor vehicles.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

D. A person under the age of 15 years may not operate a vehicle under this subsection on a public way.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

E. Operation of an ATV is limited to agricultural purposes in connection with a farm and to operation from or to the premises where kept, from or to a farm lot or between farm lots used for farm purposes by the ATV owner.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

[PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. C, §6 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. C, §19 (AFF).]

9.  Attached vehicles.  A deputy sheriff with a writ of attachment may move the attached motor vehicle to a place of storage without registration or registration permit as long as the county has insurance as required by chapter 13.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

10.  Off-highway vehicles.  The Secretary of State may issue, on application and the payment of a fee of $27, a special registration permit authorizing the limited operation on a way of trucks, truck tractors, Class B special mobile equipment, trailers and semitrailers that are otherwise used exclusively for off-highway purposes. The following provisions apply to registration permits issued pursuant to this subsection.

A. A registration permit may not be granted unless the applicant presents a written certificate from the tax collector of the municipality from which the vehicle is being moved identifying the vehicle and stating that all personal property taxes applicable to the vehicle, including those for the current year, have been paid or that the vehicle is exempt from those taxes.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

B. Highway use is limited to travel to and from garages for the purpose of obtaining repairs or maintenance or travel from one job site to another job site.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

C. The registration permit may not authorize transporting property or passengers, except that a truck or truck tractor may draw an empty trailer or semitrailer.   [PL 2007, c. 38, §1 (AMD).]

D. A registration permit is valid until March 1st of the next calendar year.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

E. A vehicle issued a registration permit pursuant to this subsection is exempt from inspection requirements.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

F. The registration permit must be in the vehicle when the vehicle is operated on the highway.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

G. Trailers and semitrailers must be moved during daytime hours.   [PL 2007, c. 38, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2007, c. 38, §1 (AMD).]

11.  Low-speed vehicles.  The Secretary of State may issue a registration for a low-speed vehicle upon application and payment of an annual fee of $25. The registrant must provide a certificate of title required by section 651, proof of financial responsibility required by section 1601 and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482. A low-speed vehicle registered under this section is issued a registration plate with the word "low-speed" instead of "Vacationland." The Secretary of State may issue a facsimile plate for a 60-day period.

[PL 2003, c. 397, §3 (NEW).]

12.  Autocycles.

[PL 2009, c. 55, §2 (NEW); MRSA T. 29-A §501, sub-§12 (RP).]

12-A.  Autocycles.

[PL 2011, c. 556, §5 (NEW); MRSA T. 29-A §501, sub-§12-A (RP).]

13.  Autocycles.  The Secretary of State may issue a registration for an autocycle upon application and payment of an annual fee of $21. The registrant must provide a certificate of title required by section 651, proof of financial responsibility required by section 1601 and evidence of payment of the excise tax as required by Title 36, section 1482, subsection 1, paragraph C. An autocycle registered under this section is issued a registration plate with the word "autocycle" instead of "Vacationland." The Secretary of State may issue a facsimile plate for a 60-day period.

[PL 2019, c. 345, §3 (NEW).]

A person possessing or applying for a registration certificate and a set of gold star family registration plates pursuant to section 524‑B is exempt from registration fees under this section for the motor vehicle registered or to be registered.   [PL 2019, c. 390, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 65, §§A89,C3 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 65, §§A153,C15 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 645, §C8 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 645, §C16 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 437, §8 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 660, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 790, §§C3-7 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 790, §C19 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 197, §4 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 397, §3 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 38, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 177, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 383, §7 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 647, §2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 647, §8 (AFF). PL 2009, c. 55, §2 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 356, §§6, 7 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 556, §§4, 5 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 206, §4 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. BBBB, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 345, §3 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 390, §1 (AMD).